Machine for making hay from corn and other stalks.



PATENTED APR. 3, 1906.

C. H. TRASK. MACHINE POR MAKING HAY FROM CORN AND OTHER STALKS.

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 25.1902.

WKN-[JESSEE:

wat

PATENTED APR. 3, 1906.

O. H. TRASK. MACHINE FOR MAKING HAY FROM OORN AND OTHER STALKS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 25.1902.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

PATENTHD APR. 3, 1906.

C. H. TRASK. MACHINE FOR MAKING HAY PROM CORN AND OTHER STALKS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 25.1902.-

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

No. 816,768. PATENTED APR. 3, 1906. O. H. TRASK.

MACHINE FOR MAKING HAY FROM CORN AND OTHER STALKS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 25.1902.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

\/\/|T 55555: u i

w CMA WL UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES H. TRASK, OF LYNN, MASSACHSETTS.

MACHINE FOR MAKING HAY FROM CORN AND OTHER STALKS. i

Specification of Letters Patent. i Application lled July 25, 1902.Serial No. 116,954.

iHa-tented April 3, 1906.

To atl whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES H. TRASK, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Lynn, in the countyof Essex and State ofMassachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Machinesfor Making Hay from Cornstalks, of which the following i `Shay and whichis made from corn-stalks cut or slit into thin lengths which somewhatresemble spears of hay or straw.

I have represented my invention as embodied in a machine adapted to sotreat dried cornstalks, as I have found that such stalks containnutritious properties only slightly less in value than hay.

The machine, broadly speaking, comprises multiple means for feeding anumber of stalks in separated relation from each other at the same time,for flattenin r or compressing the stalks as they are fed, for slittingthe stalks into thin lengths or strands, and for feeding the lengths orstands from the slitting mechanism, and for cutting them as thenassembled into lengths.

The invention further .comprises means for the various adjustment of itselements to each other, to which reference Will hereinafter be made.

I Will now describe the invention in conjunction with the drawingsforming a part of this specification, wherein- Figure 1 is a view inside elevation of a machine having the features of my invention. Fig. 2is a view in vertical longitudinal section thereof. Fig. 3 is a view inplan, the supports of the upper -rolls being removed. Fig. 4 is a view,enlarged, in vertical crosssection upon-the dotted line 4 4 of Fig. 2.Fig. 5 is a view, enlarged, in vertical crosssection upon the dottedline 5 5 of Fig. 2.

The machine has a frame com risin the main section A, the front end bracets A2, the rear end brackets A3 A4, and the yielding roll-su ports A5A8. The brackets A A support the stalk-feeding belt, the brackets A3 A4means for delivering the strands from the machine, and the supports A5 Athe upper The primary means'for feeding a number of stalks in separatedrelation as a Whole is letteredrB. It comprises any desired num'- ber ofendless belts or chains b of peculiar construction, lwhich pass aroundthe outer roll B, mounted at the-outer ends ofthe brackets A A and thedriven roll B2, mounted in the main frame A and suitably driven from themain shaft A7 by means of gearing, to bedeseribed. The journal-bearingsof the driving-roll b2 are stationary.V The driven roll B is mountedupon slidesb and b2, respectively, which are sup orted at the outer endsof the brackets A A)2 and are horizontally movable thereon to adjust theposition of the roll B with respect to the roll B2, and

consequently the tension of the chains b of the feeding mechanism, bymeans of adjusting-screws b3 b3, mounted on their respective brackets AA2, screwing in a nut thereon and bearing against the end of the slide.Each slide has a horizontal slot b4, through which a locking-screw b5,fastening exten s. The rolls B B2 have -flanges 612 upon their outerends to lap upon the outer chains of the group of chains employed tomaintain them in position on the rolls.

In the drawings I have represented the feeding device as havin fivechains and as forming four individua feeding-ways; but the feedingdevicemay have any number of chains for forming as many feedways as itmay be desirable to use. Each of the chains is lettered B; but thefeedways are lettered b, 67, 68, and b9, respectively. The feedways areof a width and depth to receive a corn or other stalkh The depth isobtained from the peculiar nature ofthe chains b, each chain be- 1ngmade of a number of links b1", ,of thin sheet metal, practically squarein form and arranged to overla one upon the other and to be joined togeter at their lower corners by pivots or'pivot-rods b, which permit of theturning of the links upon each other as the chain bends to the rolls,and yet provides when the chain is straight a continuous wall, thussecuring a feedway which is deep and open upon its top. Where themachine has a number of feedways, I prefer to use for the pivotsconnecting ,the links pivot-rods common to all the chains. Thesepivot-rods pass it to itsbracket,

IOO

through the holes in the links, are headed at made yielding 1n Ato feedthem to the feeding-rolls.

'stalks to the feeding-rolls.

their outer ends, and the, links between the outer links are separatedfrom each other by short sleeves b of the width of the feedways, mountedupon the pivot-rods between the links 'lhis all'ords a veryY simple,economical7 and strong construction' of feeding device. 'lhe pivots` orthe sleeves thereon form the bottoms of the feedways. To hold the fccding belt or chain from saggirg, I have arranged that the feeding portionthereof shall have immediately beneath it a stationar)Y table b, overwhich it runs and b v which it is supported. (Sec-Fig. 2.) 'lhis feedingdevice, it will be seen, is, in cll`ect, an endless traveler ofcontinuous individual fecdways, each of whichis adapted to receiveindependent stalks in continuous successive order and lVhile thedriving-roll B2 may not be positively connected with the travelingfeeding device to operate it, `vet l prefer that it should be, and Ihave therefore arranged upon the roll teeth or fingers b1, which arcadapted to engage the pivot-rods or the sleeves upon them as they passover the roll, the pivots and their sleeves being separated sullicientlyto permit the teeth or fingers of the roll Bl to engage them and thesleeves acting as antifriction-rolls between the teeth or 'lingers andthe ivots.

The feeding device presents the individual Two pairs of these rolls areshown. 'lhey are upon a line with cach other and are alike. The firstpair is lettered C C', and the second pair C2 C. The lower roll of eachpair has a fixed bearing in the frame A, aiid each of said rolls has adeep groove or recess c for cach feedway of the feeding device in linetherewith and with cach other. TheI upper rolls C C2 are mounted inboxes on the yielding support A, and each of these rolls has an annularsection c for each of the grooves or recesses c of their companion rollsC C, respectively, and each is of a diameter and size to enter saidgrooves or recesses. The surfaces of these sections of the rolls aremadefriction al by beingprovided with any desired frictional formation.A preferred method is by making the periphery of the rolls ribbed orcorrugated, as may be seen in Fig. 5. The feed-rolls thus formed act toprevent the stalks from crossing each other as they are being fed, andmay also to some extent act as a stalk-flattening means. The boxes uponwhich the rolls are mounted are the support Af. (See Fig. 5, where acoiled spring c2 is represented over each box and the tension of whichis adapted to be varied by an adjusting-screw' c3.) The upper rolls ofthe machine yield automatically and accomn'iodate themselves to varyingthicknesses of the various stalks which they may be feeding.

To guide the stalks from the feedways of l lthe feeding-belt to the'upward from the fcedway.

rolls, l have employed a narrow table D, which bridges the spacebetween. thc {irst of the lower rolls and the bottom ol' cach feedwav,the table. having tongues b, (see Fig. 2,) which extend between thesides of the l'eedwa \'s. 'lhere is also employed over this bed-plate.the plate l', which is inclined from its outer edgedownwardly andinwardly and tends to deflect between the rolls any stalks which may beinclined to ride rl`hcre is also arranged bctwecn the two pairs offeed-rolls C C and C2 C the bed D2, over which the stalks )ass and whichhas clearing-fingers di, enterlng groovesorrecesses on the rollC to liftfrom it and free Afrom it stalks which might otherwise adhere to theroll.

l)A is a cover-plate between the two rolls C C2 to prevent the rising ofthe ends ol'v the stalks as they pass from one pair of rolls to theother.

Not only do the rolls C C2 have a yielding relation with respect to therolls C C, because of the spring-like boxes, but they may also beprovided with such tension as the yielding support A may itself possess,because of its leverage and because of the springpressure which isexerted against it.

The supports A5 A are pivoted to the end (L of the main framcA at theirends a. Their other ends c have tension-springs (17 to bear againstthem, the tension of which may be varied. Each of these springs isrepresented as mounted upon a headed screw-rod, which extends forwardthrough a part of the main frame and a part of the movable support andwhich is threaded to receive an adjusting-nut which bears upon thespring and is used to hold it and vary its tension. The supports arethus in the nature of spring-depressed levers and the nearer the rollsare to the pivoted end of the support the greater the stress with whichthey are held against their coperating rolls and the smaller their rangeof movement with respect to them.

Beyond the feed-rolls C2 C3 are the Hattenine-rolls E E. These rollsserve also as feedro ls. The roll E has a continuous smooth surface, andthe roll E', which is carried by the supports A5 A, has a roughened orcorrugated surface. The oilice of these rolls is to feed the stalks andto Hatten them. Between them and the feed-rolls C2 C3 is a bed E, whichis like the bed D2, and has clearingfingers E2 to enter the recesses ofthe roll C to remove the stalks therefrom, and above the bed is thecover-plate E. The roll E is mounted in the supports A5 A in a mannersimilar to the rolls C C2.

Next the flattening-rolls E E are the slitting-rolls F F. Each of theserolls has a relatively large number of cylindrical cutters f, arrangedclosely together and having a tapering cutting edge provided withcross-notches (See Fig. 2.) The rolls are so arranged that the cutterslap by each other and the cutters serve to slit or cut the stalks intonarrow thin lengths, much resemblin strands of hay in size andappearance. 1e upper cutting-roll F is mounted upon the yieldingsupports A5 A and preferably has thereon a vertical adjustment tocompensate for wear. Between the cutting-rolls and the flatteningrolls EE is the bed F2 and its cover Fa for idin the flattened stalk from theflattening-rol s to the cutters. The severed strands pass over thecutters to a drawing and feeding device, which comprises a belt G,passing about the rolls G G4, and a roll G3, which is mounted over theroll G and between which and the belt the strands are drawn and fed. Theroll G is positively driven. Between the rolls G G3 and the cutters F Fis the bed G4 and the cover-plate G5. Each of these plates hasclearing-fingers g g to enter the recesses in the cutters between thecuttingblades to free the severed strands from the cutters andcutting-rolls. The strands are fed by the belt G through the outlet H,formed by the belt and the assembling cover H, and over the cutting edgeh of a stationary cutter H2, and a drop cutting-blade H3,

. at the outer ends of the arms H4, is caused to be oscillated -past thecutting edge h to sever the assembled strands into lengths of anydesired extent.

The arms H4, carrying the cutter H, are pivoted at h to the main frameand are oseillated by means of the rotating cam-pins h2 and cam-groovesh3 at the inner end of the arms. (See Fig. 1.)

The belt-roll G2 is mounted upon slides G, (see Fi 1,) which ishorizontally adjustable upon t e bracket A3 by means of the setscrews g7to varyv the tension of the feedingbelt, and the slides are adapted tobe locked by screws g8 in adjusted position. The lower stationar cutterH2 and the upper cutter H3 are also adjustable lengthwise their supportsby means of slots and clamping-screws, or in any other desired way, eachcutter having arms extending backward from its ends in which the slotsare arranged and which afford means whereby the cutters are attached totheir holders;

Beneath the feeding and cutter rolls there is arranged an inclinedtrough I, by which fluid an( other refuse from the stalks passingthrough the machine may front of the main frame.

I have represented the various rolls as geared from the gear J on themain shaft, as follows: The chain-feeding roll B4 b the gears B3, B4,B5, and J the feed-rolls C C by be delivered in the gear J and gears C4)5; the feed-rolls C2 C3 by the gear J and the gears (Je C7 theflattening-rolls E E by the gear J 2and the gears E4 E5 the cutter-rollsF F by the gear J 2 and the gears F4 F5; the belt-driving roll G by thegear J2 and the gears GCG, G", the latter gear and a collar upon theopposite end of the roll G carry the cam-pins 'h2 for oscillatin thecutter-arms H4. The gears C5 CTE Pgs are mounted on the support A5 A andare movable with them, and consequently have a slight movement withrespect to thelr companion gears without, however, losing engagementtherewith.

The operation of the machine is as follows: The stalks are fed into thevarious feedways of the multiple feeding device in-regular o rder andpreferably so as not to overlap, and they are fed by the feeding deviceto the feedrolls which hold them in line' as they are fed and inseparated relation and which also act to somewhat flatten them. They arefurther flattened by the flattening-rolls, which also serve asfeed-rolls and are then slit b the cutting-rolls into narrow strandswhic are drawn and fed by the drawing-rolls and feeding-belt beyond thecutters assembled upon the feeding-belt by the assembling-cover H andpass by it in their assembled relation over the cutter H, where theyvareeut into such lengths as may be desired by the oscillation of the cutterH3.

I would say that it is not necessary that the strands be cut intolengths and that the assembling-cover and cutters may be dispensed wilh,as may also the rear apron and feedingro s. ism may be varied by theaddition of or subtraction of feeding and flattening rolls, if sodesired.

It will be seen that the organization of the machine is such that thestalks are fed to the cutters by means which prevent their crossing eachother and that thus each cornstalk is independently presented, to thecutters, which shred it or sever it into strands. It will further be,seen that the multiple feedingbelt is supported in a horizontalposition by a table, so that the feedways are always straight or levelwhile feeding'. It will further be noticed that the machine is soorganized as to vary the pressures of the various rolls upon thematerial andalso so as to yield to variations in thickness of thematerial; also, that each pair of rolls has independent adjustment, sothat they may be independentl set to any desired pressure and may thenco lectively be set by means of the pressure common to them all, thoughvarying in intensity to suit the conditions of use of each set.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim and desire to secureby Letters Patent of the United Statesj 1. In a machine of the characterspecified, a frame, and in combination therewith a series of devices forfeeding a plurality of stalks to a series of slitting-cutters and forflattening the same while they are being fed, means in I would furtheradd that the meehan- IOO IIO

front ol' said cutters for retaining said stalks againslJ lateraldisplacement and for guiding the same to feed lengthwise thereto, andsaid series of slitting-enters arranged to cut each of said flattenedstalks lengthwise into long, narrow strands,

2. In a machine of the character specified, a frame and in combinationtherewith means for feeding and flattening a plurality of stalks, meansin front of a series of slittingcuttels for retaining said stalksagainst lateral displacement and for guiding each of said stalks to feedlengthwise thereto, said series of slitting-cutters disposed to cut eachflattened stalk lengthwise into long, narrow strands, and means beyondsaid cutters for receiving the cut strands and for drawing the same fromthe cutters.

3. In a machine of the character specified, a frame and in combinationtherewith a stalk-feeding belt, stalk feeding, flattening,individualizing and guiding mechanism consisting of two driven rolls oneof which has a series of box-grooves and the other of which has acorresponding series of sections to enter said grooves, feeding andflattening rolls disposed beyond the said mechanism and between the sameand a series of slitting-cutters, and said slitting-cutters so placed asto cut the flattened stalk into long, narrow strands.

4. In a machine of the character specified, a frame and in combinationtherewith a series of stalk feeding, uiding and flattening devices,which are lnine with one another and which act also to separate andguide the stalks to feed lengthwise to a series of slittingcutters,feedwa s interposed between said devices for faci itating the guidanceof the stalks, and said series of slitting-cutters to which theflattened stalks are guided and fed, said cutters being placedrelatively near to gether so as to cut each flattened stalk into ong,narrow strands.

5. In a machine of the character specified, the combination with astalk-traveling belt having a plurality of walled receiving-ways' forindependently receiving and individualizing the stalks, of a series ofstalk feeding and flattening devices which are in line with therespective ways of said travelinvr belt, and which serve also to guidethe stalk along its entire length that it may be fed longitudinally uponthe cutters and a series of cutters adapted to cut the flattened stalkslengthwise, said cutters being placed relatively near together that eachflattened stalk may be cut lengthwise into long strands.

6. In a machine of the character specified, a frame and in combinationtherewith a stalk-feeding belt comprising two or more chains, composedof flat links riveted to each other near their inner edge to provideawalled recess or way open at its top for` receiving and individualizingstalks delivered thereto and [or feeding the saine, a series ofslitting-cutters, and a series' of devices interposed bctween saidstalk-feed ing belt and said cutters for receiving the stalks from saidbelt and for guiding, flattening and feeding the same lengthwise uponsaid cutters.

7. In a machine of the character s iecilied, a frame and in combinationtherewith a multiple stalk receiving and feeding device having a seriesof narrow, stalk-receiving ways separated by walls and adapted to feedthe stalks endwise, a series of feeding and flattening devices beyondsaid device, feedways between said feeding and flattening devices andsaid device, which enter linto co eration therewith, forming walled orbox-li e ways leading from the stalk-receiving Ways of the deviceaforesaid to a series of sl1tting-cutters, and said series ofslitting-cutters in line with said ways.

8. In a machine of the character specified, a frame and in combinationtherewith, a traveling feed-belt having a series of stalkreceiving ways,means for adjusting said belt, means for kee )ing the same from sagging,a series of feedln and flattening devlces in front of said be t adaptedalso to individualize and guide said stalks in a direction incontinuation ofthe ways thereof, and a series of cutters disposed to cutthe flattened stalks lengthwise 1nto long, narrow strands.

9. In a machine of the character specified, a frame and in combinationtherewith a multiple stalk receiving and feeding device. having a seriesof stalk-receiving ways separated by walls and adapted to feed thestalks lengthwise, stalk-receiving rolls in line with saidstalk-receiving ways, means for guiding the stalks from said ways to therolls and preventing them froin crossing one another in the rolls,stalk-flattening means and a series of cutters adapted to cut theflattened stalks lengthwise, said cutters being placed relatively neartogether that each flattened stalk may be cut len fthwise into longstrands.

10. In a mac ine of the character specified, a frame and in combinationtherewith one or more pairs of stalk-receivingrolls having a series ofindependent stalk-receiving ways, a pair of stalk-flattening rolls and apair of stalk-cutting rolls beyond said flatteningrolls, the lower rollof each of said pairs being stationarily held and the upper roll of eachof said pairs being inde endently adjustable upon its support, saisupport and means for providing it with a yielding variable ressure.

11. n a machine of the character specified, a frame and in combinationtherewith a series of stalk feeding and flattening devices, a series ofslitting-cutters to which the flattened stalks are fed, which cuttersare placed relatively near together so as to cut each flat- IOO IIC

tened stalk into strands, means for individualizing and guiding thestalks to feed length- Wise upon said cutters, and means for receivingthe strands from said cutters and for carrying them from the same.

12. In a machine of the character specified a frame and in combinationtherewith a series of stalk feeding and flattening devices, a series ofslitting-cutters to which the flattened stalks are fed, which cuttersare laced relatively near together so as to cut eac flattened stalk intostrands, means in front of said cutters for retaining thestalks againstlateral displacement and for guiding each of the same to feed lengthwiseu on said cutters, and a strand receiving, ho ding and carr ing meansbeyond said cutters adapted to raw the cut strands from said cutters andto feed the same.

13. In a machine of the character s ecified, a frame and in combinationtherewlth a series of stalk feeding and flattening devices, means infront of a series of slitting-cutters for retaining the stalks againstlateral displacement and for guiding each of the same to feed lengthwiseupon said cutters, said series of slittin cutters, so placed as to cutthe flattened sta s len thwise into long, narrow strands, a strand hoding and carrying means beyond said cutters adapted to draw the cutstrands from said cutters and to feed the same, and a knife adapted tocut the strands crosswise.

14. In a machine of the character specified, a frame and in combinationtherewith a series of slitting-cutters, strand-feeding rolls be yondsaid cutters, a varying feed-belt passing around one of said rolls, anda strand` cutter. Y

15. Inja machine of the character specified a frame and in combinationtherewith stalk shredding or slitting cutters, strand-'feeding rollsbeyond said cutters and strand receiving and carrying means beyond saidrolls, a strand-assembling cover and a strand-cutter. 16. In a machineof the character specified, a frame and in combination therewith astalkfeeding belt, stalk shredding or slitting cutters, stalk feedingand flattening rolls lnterposed between said belt and cutters, strandreceiving and carrying devices, a strand-assembling cover and astrand-cutter.

17. In a machine of the character s ecified, a frame and-in combinationtherewit a pair of shredding or slitting cutter-rolls, a air offlattenin -rolls, one or more airs o feedrolls, an a common support orone roll of each pair pivoted at one end and yieldingly retained at theother, whereby said rolls ma be provided with a yielding movement witres ect to their companion rolls and also wit a varying ressuredecreasing from the cutter-rolls to t e feed-rolls.

18. In a machine of the character specified,

are adapted to be aid or deposited sidewise l I and fed lengthwise,flattening means be ond said ways,- and slitting-cutters beyon theflattening means for slitting the flattened stalks into lon f, narrowstrands.

19. In a mac ine of the character specified, a frame and yin combinationtherewith a device having a pluralit of separated, stalk-receiving Ways,1n whic the stalks are adapted to be laid or deposited and fed endwise,means beyond said ways for gradually flattening said stalks, and beyondsaid flattening means slitting-cutters for slitting the flattened stalksinto lon narrow strands.

20. In a machine o the character s eciied, a frame, and in combinationtherewit a multiple stalk receiving and feeding device having a seriesof narrow stalk-recevin ways separated by walls, in which the sta ks area apted to be deposited or laid and fed endwise rolls to assist inflattening the stalks, a yielin one en of t e machine, and rotarycutters arranged to slit the attened stalks fed lengthwise into long,narrow strands.

21 In a machine of the character s ecified, a frame and in combinationtherewit a multiple stalk receiving and feeding device having a seriesof narrow, stalk-receiving ways se arated by walls, in which the stalksare adapted to be deposited or laid and fed endwise, adjustable rollsfor flattening the stalks, a yieldin f support for said rolls hinged toone end of t e machine, resilient means at the other end of the machinebearing on said su port, whereby the pressure of the roll on saldlstalks may be varied, and a series of cutters` arranged to slit theflattened stalks fed lengthwise into long, narrow strands.-

22. In a machine of the character s ecified, a frame and in combinationtherewit tiple stalk receiving and feeding device having a series ofnarrow, stalk-receivin ways se arated by walls, in which the sta ks area apted to be de osited or laid and fed endwise, self-adjusta le rollsfor flattening the stalks, a series of cutters to slit the fiattenedstalks fed lengthwise into long, narrow strands, and a belt beyond saidcutters to feed the strands therefrom. I

23. In a machine of the character specified, a frame sets of flattenin'-rolls adapted to feed and set to gradually atten cornstalks, andslitting-cutters beyond said rolls for slitting the flattened stalksinto long, narrow strands.

24. In a machine of the character s ecified, a frame and in combinationtherewit sets of flattening-rolls adapted to feed and set to graduallyflatten cornstalks, means whereby the pressure of said flattening-rollsmay be sup ort for such rolls hinged from IOO a mul- IIO graduallyincreased, and slitting-cutters bel tainin the other 'end of saidsupport, where ond said rolls for slitting the stalks into by sai rollsmay be provided with a yielding ong, narrow strands. movement withrespect to their companion 25. Inamachine of the character specified, lrolls and also with a varying pressure de- 5 a frame and in combinationthefrevlth a secreasing from the slitting-cutters. ries ofslittinW-eutters, a pair o `atteninpf- 1 Y rolls arrangedbin front ofsaid cutters, one or CHARLES H TRASK' more pairs of feed-rolls, a commonyielding Witnesses: sup ort for said feed and flattening;r rolls pivl F.F. RAYMOND, 2d, 1o oto to one end, and tensional means for rel SAULSIPPERSTEIN.

